Ely business collecting letters to Santa

ELY - For Tom and Melissa Reed, the little mailbox sitting outside their business in Ely provides more than just a way for kids to mail their annual wish lists to Santa.

It represents a way to help make wishes come true.

The Reeds, owners of The Downtown Dachshund, a gift shop and boutique at 1655 Dows St., Suite 1, are collecting letters as part of Macy's 9th annual Believe Campaign. For every letter mailed to the North Pole, Macy's donates $1 - up to $1 million - to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. According to the Make-A-Wish website, a wish is granted every 35 minutes on average in the United States and its territories.

'It just seemed like a great thing to do,” said Melissa Reed.

For Tom Reed, the effort has a deeper, more personal significance.

'One reason it resonated was because Tom's brother had a childhood illness,” Melissa said.

Christopher Reed, Tom's younger brother, had cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects the exocrine glands. He died when he was 9 years old, Tom Reed said.

However, when Christopher was about 6 or 7, he and his family were given a five-day trip to Walt Disney World and SeaWorld theme parks in Flordia through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

'It was a huge experience for him, something at the time my parents couldn't afford,” said Tom Reed, who was about 12 or 13 when his family took the trip.

So, when Melissa Reed heard that businesses anywhere could become involved in the annual Macy's campaign, it was an easy choice, she said.

'It was just a great connection of the two,” added Tom Reed.

The mailbox, which was purchased by the Reeds as a prop, was placed outside The Downtown Dachshund for the first time on Black Friday. They are continuing to collect letters during regular business hours through Dec. 18.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

At the end of the campaign, the Reeds plan to deliver the letters they've collected either by mail or in person, said Melissa Reed.

Letters also may be submitted online at macys.com/believe through Dec. 24. Letter writers of all ages are asked to participate.

'You're never too old to believe, right?” Tom Reed said.

LETTERS TO SANTA

Children of all ages have the opportunity to mail Santa Claus letters before he and his reindeer take flight Christmas Eve, thanks to an Ely business partnering with the Macy's Believe Campaign. Here are the details.

What: Macy's annual Believe Campaign

Where: The Downtown Dachshund, 1655 Dows St., Suite 1, Ely

When: Letters can be dropped in the mailbox outside the business through Sunday, Dec. 18. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Cost: Free. For every letter mailed, Macy's is donating $1 - up to $1 million - to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

l Comments: (319) 368-8536; michaela.ramm@thegazette.com